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Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 11:38 pm
by ooper01
I've had a few Pogonomyrmex queens that have followed this pattern:
1. Placed in test tube setup and laid a clutch of eggs.
2. 3-5 workers eventually emerge.
3. Hibernation.
4. All workers die off at some point prior to coming out of hibernation.
5. Bring queen out of hibernation
6. Queen never lays any more eggs.
I have provided a variety of food and heat. Anything else I should try? Is it normal for this to happen with some queens?
Re: Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 11:57 pm
by MadVampy
If you have a few workers of the same species you may try putting them in with her and see if they make her want to lay eggs. I had two queens that wouldn't lay at all, then I had a queen die off in another test tube so I tried putting one of them in with the 10 workers and they accepted her and she started laying egg right away.
Re: Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 10:26 am
by ooper01
Will try that next time. Thanks!
Re: Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 6:07 am
by jonathan21700
Do you keep them in the dark and how often do you look at them?
Re: Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 10:10 am
by ooper01
They sit on top of a desk with a sleeve covering the test tube, however, the test tube is connected to a Test Tube Portal which would allow some light to enter at the entrance. I probably check them once a week. I am guessing by your questions that you would suggest I place them completely in the dark and leave them alone for several weeks right
Re: Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2016 9:41 pm
by Mdrogun
ooper01 wrote:They sit on top of a desk with a sleeve covering the test tube, however, the test tube is connected to a Test Tube Portal which would allow some light to enter at the entrance. I probably check them once a week. I am guessing by your questions that you would suggest I place them completely in the dark and leave them alone for several weeks right
Is it possible that you have any vibrations that could be disturbing these queens? I find that even yelling makes vibrations and can upset Pogonomyrmex. I keep Pogonomyrmex californicus and they hate vibrations even in the slightest amount.
Re: Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:19 pm
by ooper01
Mdrogun wrote:Is it possible that you have any vibrations that could be disturbing these queens? I find that even yelling makes vibrations and can upset Pogonomyrmex. I keep Pogonomyrmex californicus and they hate vibrations even in the slightest amount.
Definitely lots of vibration potential around my house. Lots of kids, yelling, running, etc. With my next batch of Pogo queens this fall, I may try keeping them somewhere else. Thanks!
Re: Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 4:58 pm
by Mdrogun
ooper01 wrote:Mdrogun wrote:Is it possible that you have any vibrations that could be disturbing these queens? I find that even yelling makes vibrations and can upset Pogonomyrmex. I keep Pogonomyrmex californicus and they hate vibrations even in the slightest amount.
Definitely lots of vibration potential around my house. Lots of kids, yelling, running, etc. With my next batch of Pogo queens this fall, I may try keeping them somewhere else. Thanks!
No problem. I have watched pretty much all of your videos and I love the dirt formicarium you have for your Pogonomyrmex occidentalis colony.
Re: Queens that stop laying eggs
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 11:54 pm
by ooper01
Mdrogun wrote:No problem. I have watched pretty much all of your videos and I love the dirt formicarium you have for your Pogonomyrmex occidentalis colony.
Oh good. Glad you like it. I have another larger formicarium just about ready to give to them. I think they are outgrowing their current space as I see lots of ants just "resting" in the outworld. They probably need a larger and cleaner space to inhabit.